Encapsulation is one of the core principles of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Encapsulation means binding data (variables) and methods (functions) together inside a class<\/strong> and restricting direct access to some of the object’s components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In simple words: It helps protect data from accidental modification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here, anyone can change In Python, we make variables private by adding double underscore Now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This works because Python uses name mangling, but it should not be used in practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Python does not have strict access modifiers like other languages, but it follows naming conventions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Public Variable Protected Variable Private Variable Encapsulation protects object data by restricting direct access and allowing controlled access through methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It ensures safe, secure, and structured programming in OOP.<\/p>\n\n\n
Encapsulation = Data Hiding + Data Protection<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Encapsulation is Important<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Example Without Encapsulation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
class Student:
def __init__(self, name, marks):
self.name = name
self.marks = markss1 = Student(\"Hira\", 85)
s1.marks = -50 # Invalid value
print(s1.marks)<\/pre>\n\n\n\nmarks<\/code> to an invalid value.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEncapsulation Using Private Variables<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
__<\/code> before the variable name.<\/p>\n\n\n\nclass Student:
def __init__(self, name, marks):
self.name = name
self.__marks = marks # Private variable def get_marks(self):
return self.__marks def set_marks(self, value):
if value >= 0:
self.__marks = value
else:
print(\"Invalid marks\")s1 = Student(\"Hira\", 85)print(s1.get_marks())s1.set_marks(90)
print(s1.get_marks())s1.set_marks(-10) # Invalid<\/pre>\n\n\n\nOutput<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
85
90
Invalid marks<\/pre>\n\n\n\n\n
__marks<\/code> cannot be accessed directly<\/li>\n\n\n\nAccessing Private Variable Directly (Not Recommended)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
print(s1._Student__marks)<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Access Specifiers in Python<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
self.name<\/code>
Can be accessed anywhere<\/p>\n\n\n\nself._name<\/code>
Should not be accessed outside class (convention only)<\/p>\n\n\n\nself.__name<\/code>
Cannot be accessed directly<\/p>\n\n\n\nBenefits of Encapsulation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Key Takeaway<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n